Japers' Rink uncovered a pretty cool gem that maybe puts this Alex Ovechkin benching thing in perspective. Apparently, it happened before in 2006, when Glen Hanlon was the coach. Here was his response then, via an old Tarik El-Bashir story.

"It was coach's decision," Ovechkin said, wearing a relaxed expression. Asked if he was angry, he said: "No, I'm okay. It's his decision. I don't know [why], ask him."

And here is his response now:

"It's good for the team," Ovechkin said. "I have to respond for it. It's one team and it doesn't matter how good you are or who you are. If you want to win, you have to be on the same page. Everybody."